Lead pointing device



Jan. 26, 1943.

c:.y w. Hu'rcHlNsoN 2,309,194

LEAD POINTING DEVICE Y Filed oct. 2s, 1941 lnVEn-tmr [.W. Hutchinun Etta? fregi Patented Jan. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE LEAD IOINTING DEVICE Charles W. Hutchinson, Milwaukee, Wis. Application October 25, 1941, Serial No. 416,469

2 claims. (c1. 12o-,92)

My invention refers to lead pencil Sharpeners or pointers, the pencils being either of mechanical construction or of the standard wood -jacket type. In the mechanical type the lead is fed through the jacket, while said jacket of the wood or fibre variety is cut away from time to time to expose the lead.

The primary object of my invention is to economize in lead, and reduce fragments or waste of the same in a sharpening or pointing operation, saving approximately one-fifth waste over the usual lead pointing or sharpening devices.

The specific object of my invention is to provide a longitudinally apertured block having mounted therein a iile or abrasive plate, one portion of which approximately intersects the axis of the block aperture, at its discharge or waste end, it being understood that the pencil lead is pointed by relative rotatable and reciprocative movement between the pencil and lead pointing device.

Another object of my invention is to produce a quick pencil lead pointer device or block which can be cheaply manufactured at a minimum cost.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combination of parts as will be fully set forth hereinafter with reference to lthe accompanying drawing and subsequently claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal, sectional View of a pencil pointing device, embodying the features of my invention, the saine being shown with a fragment of a pencil inserted therein.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the same, the section being indicated by line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the device, the section being indicated by line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pencil pointing device or block, looking toward the mouth end of said block.

Referring by reference characters to the drawing, the numeral l indicates a rectangular block which may be formed from wood, plastic material,

or metal.

the cylinder and said end of the block, it being understood that this discharge opening is in axial Aalignment with the bore 2.'

It will be noted that the thickness of the block is slightly greater than the diameter of the bore and as shown, the butt end of said block is formed with an angularly disposed slot or kerf 5, which kerf intersects the restricted opening li` vand the wall of the cylindricalbore, the same ioiming an interrupter slot which extends transversely through the block whereby simplicity in construction is had.

The kerl' 5 is provided for the reception of an angularly positioned abrasive plate 6 snugly seated in the butt end of the block and extending forwardly to the base of the kerf beyond the bore 2. i

Referring particularly to Figure 3 of the drawing, the plate 6 is oi slightly less width than the width of the block whereby channels are formed at the outside walls of said block for the reception of plastic material 'l which is embedded in said channels, flush with the side walls of the aforesaid block to thus securely anchor the abrasive plate in its position. Hence when the blocks surface is finished the channels and plastic material will present an unbroken surface.

Obviously, the le or abrasive plate may, in some instances, be molded directly in the body of the block, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing, the feed end of the block is provided with a blunting recess 8, into which the needle-pointed lead of a pencil may be inserted and slightly blunted or ground eff by relative rotation of the members, to thus prevent the delicate point from breaking when the pencil is used, it being noted that the pencil is positioned with relation to the recess, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l.

As shown in full lines in Figure 1, a fragment of the pencil 9 is seated in the bore of the block in a position to be pointed by oscillation and reciprocation. It will also be noted that the corrugated or abrasive face of the plate 6 at its rear end terminates upon approximate alinement with the axis of the bore 2 of said block, whereby upon relative rotation of the block and pencil, the lead of said pencil is brought to a vanishing or needle point. Hence, when the operation is completed, the pencil is Withdrawn from the mouth of the block, and, if desired, the needle point may be smoothed off by fitting said point into the blunting recess 8 and gently rotating said pencil.

It is understood that While I have shown in the illustrations a standard wood jacket pencil, any type of pencil may be sharpened, bearing in mind that in the relative rotation of the parts, the bore 2 of the block, which loosely fits the pencil, will serve to hold or guide the same in proper relation with the- I'lle or abrasive plate S, and, furthermore,v the angle of said plate with relation to the axis of the bore block may be varied to suit certain conditions for pointing.

It will also be understood that while I have illustrated an exemplication of my invention, and described its functionwith relation to the pencil as a manual operation, it may be possible to employ the generic principles of my invention in a device or machine, wherein the'parts may be mechanically actuated. However, the construction as illustrated is preferable, due to the fact that the lead pencil pointer can be cheaply manufactured and used manually to accomplish the desired results, bearing in mind that the block or lead pointing device does not require any skill in its, operation to insure proper treatment, of the lead point.

Although `I have described my invention minutely as to. details, it is. understood that the invention is not. to. be limited to structural features, but. interpreted. within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A lead pointing device for pencils coinprising, a longitudinally bored block, the bore being extended therethrough from end to end, and a metallic, abrasive plate mounted in the block extending partly across the block bore at its rear end, the said plate terminating at said rear end in approximate alinement with the axis of the bore.

2. A new article of manufacture, a lead penci.- sharpener comprising a rectangular block having a pencil receiving cylindrical bore extending longitudinally from the feed end and terminating near the butt end of the block, of slightly less cross-sectional area than said block, there being a. waste discharge restricted opening extending through. the block butt in communication with the cylindrical bore and axially aligned therewith, an obliquely disposed kerf extending through the butt portion of the aforesaid block, an abrasive plate seated in the kerf from end to end thereof the plate being oi less width than theY thickness of the aforesaid block whereby kerf channels are formed between the longitudinal edges of the plate and side faces of the block and layers of plastic material embedded in the channels whereby the plate is secured.

CHARLES W. HUTCHINSON. 

